Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-08-31
CHICAG0'S POSTOFFICE.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION SAWS
IT'S RUN SQuARELY.

On the Principles of Reform-statisties of
the Removals, Appointments, Etc.-A
Reason Every Time-A Narrowing Doubt
the Republicans Have, and Suggestions
That 1t he Removed-W Washington Gossip.
WASHINGTON CITY, Aug 3i.-Civil Service
Commissioners Edgerton and Lyman have
completed their report on the investigation
of the manner i'll which the civil service acts
rules and regulations are enforced at the
Chicago postoffice The report shows that
Postmaster Judd has changed the entire I'M
classified force of the office, numbering twen-
ty-four, since his advent into office on June
l, 1885. OF 81 classified places which he
could fill without examination, y have been
filed with new men, and of the old occu-
pants reappointed OF the ,0SS employees of
all grades in the office 2t9 had been removed
upon MS recommendation, ll5 had resigned,
q were arrested for stealing, and IL del
Postmaster Judd, the report says, has uni
formly given reasons for removals, such as
inetficiency, drunkenness, etc.-reaSons which
the commissioners think every one will recog-
nize at once as Sufficient, and iustifying the
removals he has made In this connection,
the commissioners say that it the postmaster
at Chicago finds it entirely practicable TO
give reasons for all removals made by him.
it certainly can not be impracticable for
other postmasters TO do the same The num-
Der of appointments made upon certifcation
for the eligible registers is SIS The large ex-
cess of appointments, adds the report, over
removals, designations, 'saths, etc, is ac-
counted for IN part by the failure of a consid-
cradle number 10 report when appointed the
refusal of others to accept appointments and
in part 10y the increase III thu force.
The commissioners say that while they did
not learn what proportion of the appoint
meutS are Democrats and what Republicans,
still they think it probable that the treat ma
jOrity Of them are Democrats This they at
tribute to the rreponderance of Democratic
over Republican applicants, induced, no
doubt, 10y the feeling in the community that
the chances of appointment We're vastly in
favor Of Democrats. The commissioners de
plore this condition of affairs, and say that
the objects ought TO he accomplished by the
civil service legislation will not be secured
until all who desire shall freely present them
selves for examination, unrestrainei by any
feeling of discrimination, and until appoint
ing officers shall cease to make such discrim
nation, and remove all grounds for the feel
ing which no doubt exists in every city whert
there is a classification poStoffice, except per
haps in the city of New York As the Chi
cago poStmastey, they say, invariably ap-
points the highest in standing of those certi-
fed for appointment, there seems to be no
good reason Tor the belief il it exists. tba
determinations for political reasons are made
in appointments at the Chicago postnffice
The report states that the examination. a
far as they Were able to go in the imite,
time. of the operations Of the board of ex
aminers did not disclose any wrong doing OF
the part Of that board or show any evidence
of partiahty or nf7irneSS in its action. Tn
report recommends that the secretary of thu
board should be- relieved from all other duties
| and should devote his entire time to the wOrl
of his office The commissioners have ap
pended without comment statement from
the board Of examiners of the facts in tn
| "Reugger7 case, which was brought to then
| attention by an affidavit concerning it mad
| by !. J Thompson, late private secretary o
| Postmaster Judd The board does not sustain
| the statements made IN the affidavit